Vegetarian diets in early life development: benefits, risks and unanswered questions

Abstract

The literature suggest that vegetarian diets decrease the burden of non-communicable diseases. However, these diets may lead to deficiency of essential nutrients which raises the concern about their adequacy during pregnancy and early life, as these are periods of great vulnerability and intense transformation and growth. The aim of this study was to revise and discuss recent literature information, about the safety and nutritional adequacy of vegetarian diets during pregnancy and childhood regarding the impact on child growth and development. For this purpose a search in Pubmed database was made for the terms:(Vegetarian diets AND fetal programing) OR (Vegetarian diets AND child development) OR (Vegetarian diets AND child growth) restricting the search between 2010 and 2020. Information on the association between vegetarian diets and nutritional deficit of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, calcium, iodine and omega-3 fatty acids, in early live is discussed. Plus, the association of vegetarian diets during pregnancy or childhood with fetal programming and child growth and development outcomes are discussed. Vegetarian diet seems safe for child development, if well planned. So, pregnant women and children following a vegetarian diet should seek professional advice to assess their nutritional status and avoid nutritional deficits.